Van Helsing TV series casts True Blood star in title role

Ever since the announcement that Syfy’s new Van Helsing TV series would feature a female lead, we’ve been waiting to hear exactly who it’ll be. Now, thanks to the lead actress’s own Twitter account, we know that Kelly Overton (best known for playing Rikki in True Blood) will be playing the role of Vanessa Van Helsing.

Unlike previous incarnations on the story, Van Helsing will take place in a post-apocalyptic world – or more accurately, ‘Post-Rising landscape’; namely the rise of vampires, prompting everything to go to hell in the worst possible way. As you would expect, it’s up to Vanessa to combat this threat, which the below poster shows her facing head on:

But that’s not all: in addition to Overton’s presence, much of the supporting cast has also been filled out. Joining her are Jonathan Scarfe (Hell On Wheels), who will play Axel, a “career Marine with unwavering devotion and loyalty to both duty and his wards, despite years of isolation and endless vampire attacks”; Christopher Heyerdahl (Sanctuary) and David Cubitt (Medium), both playing survivors of the Rising; Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill) as cunning vampire leader Dimitri, and Tim Guinee (Revolution) as a vampire soldier.

Behind the scenes, the crew is being fleshed out too: Neil LaBute (The Wicker Man, Possession) is serving as showrunner, while Michael Nankin (Hell On Wheels), Jason Priestley (Haven), David Frazee (Orphan Black), Simon Barry (Continuum) and Amanda Tapping (The Magicians) are all down to direct episodes. Judging by the array of genre talent behind the scenes, we’re pretty confident of what’s ahead, especially considering Syfy’s newfound but welcome propensity for delivering exciting and original TV. Long may it continue.